Mayurbhanj: With the arrest of three more accused, including a former sarpanch, on Friday in connection with the murder of a forest guard in Similipal Tiger Reserve in Mayurbhanj district on Monday last, the total number of arrests in the case reached five.
Baripada police and Forest Department officials nabbed the three accused during a joint operation today. The police also recovered 10 country-made guns and other weapons from the possession of the accused during the raid.
The arrested have been identified as former sarpanch Buddhadeb Singh, Sukalal Marndi, and Dugul Singh.
It is worth mentioning here that forest guard Bimal Kumar Jena (35) was shot dead by a group of poachers on Monday while he was on patrolling duty in the bordering areas of Similipal Tiger Reserve. Bimal had encountered the poachers and was shot dead when he was seizing their weapons.
Altogether 13 persons are suspected to be involved in the murder case.
The police said that the joint combing is continuing and it will continue until all the poachers involved in the murder case are arrested.
